DIARRHEA, WATER QUALITY AND WASTING AMONG CHILDREN IN RIVERSIDE SETTLEMENT OF OGAN ILIR DISTRICT, SOUTH SUMATERA INDONESIA

Abstract

Wasting among children is a form of malnutrition characterized by recent rapid weight loss or the failure to gain weight, affects one of ten children in Indonesia. Previous exposure to diarrheal disease and water quality may play an essential role in wasting among children. Therefore more researches are needed to confirm this association. This study aims to analyze the association of previous exposure to diarrheal disease and water quality with wasting among children under five. A cross-sectional study with a cluster sampling method was conducted among 140 children under five years of age located in Pemulutan, Ogan Ilir District, South Sumatera Province, Indonesia. Data was collected through interviews using paper-based questionnaires and analyzed by using Chi-square test. The study showed a significant association between previous exposure to diarrheal disease (PR=3,020 95% CI 1,257-7,255) and maternal education (PR= 0,389 95% CI 0,158-0,958) with wasting among children. However, there was no significant association between maternal occupation, family income, physical and chemical water quality, and wasting among children. A history of diarrhea disease in children under five is a risk factor for wasting children under five of riverside settlements in Ogan Ilir District, South Sumatera Province, Indonesia.